EP0559341A2 - Verfahren zur Herstellung einer wegwerfbaren arthroskopischen Sonde - Google Patents

Verfahren zur Herstellung einer wegwerfbaren arthroskopischen Sonde Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0559341A2
EP0559341A2 EP93301046A EP93301046A EP0559341A2 EP 0559341 A2 EP0559341 A2 EP 0559341A2 EP 93301046 A EP93301046 A EP 93301046A EP 93301046 A EP93301046 A EP 93301046A EP 0559341 A2 EP0559341 A2 EP 0559341A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
image
needle
optical fiber
distal end
lens
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93301046A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0559341A3 (en
Inventor
W. Michael Lafferty
George H. Middle
Algis R. Banys
Daniel S. Kline
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Citation Medical Corp
Original Assignee
Citation Medical Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Citation Medical Corp filed Critical Citation Medical Corp
Publication of EP0559341A2 publication Critical patent/EP0559341A2/de
Publication of EP0559341A3 publication Critical patent/EP0559341A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00064Constructional details of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/00071Insertion part of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/0008Insertion part of the endoscope body characterised by distal tip features
    • A61B1/00096Optical elements
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00064Constructional details of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/0011Manufacturing of endoscope parts
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00163Optical arrangements
    • A61B1/00165Optical arrangements with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00163Optical arrangements
    • A61B1/00174Optical arrangements characterised by the viewing angles
    • A61B1/00179Optical arrangements characterised by the viewing angles for off-axis viewing
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00163Optical arrangements
    • A61B1/00174Optical arrangements characterised by the viewing angles
    • A61B1/00183Optical arrangements characterised by the viewing angles for variable viewing angles
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/04Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
    • A61B1/042Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/313Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes
    • A61B1/317Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes for bones or joints, e.g. osteoscopes, arthroscopes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B46/00Surgical drapes
    • A61B46/10Surgical drapes specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00163Optical arrangements
    • A61B1/00188Optical arrangements with focusing or zooming features
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S600/00Surgery
    • Y10S600/92Method of making endoscopes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the manufacture of medical diagnostic devices, and particularly to the manufacture of arthroscopes.
  • the present invention more particularly, though not exclusively, relates to the manufacture of disposable arthroscopic probes having a relatively large internal viewing field within a living body.
  • arthroscopy which is most commonly used to examine the interior structure of bone joints, such as the knee joint, and to determine the existence and extent of any damage in the joint.
  • a significant advantage of arthroscopy is that it permits internal viewing of the body joint without requiring conventional invasive surgery to externally expose the joint.
  • relatively non-invasive corrective surgery can be performed in conjunction with the arthroscopic examination to repair the joint damage.
  • Arthroscopic examination employs a device termed an arthroscope having a probe and an imaging device that cooperate with a video display.
  • the probe is inserted into the joint being examined while it is connected to the imaging device which in turn communicates with the video display, thereby generating a picture of the interior structure of the joint. Consequently, the operator of the arthroscope is able to view, real-time, the interior structure of the joint while the probe is in place in the joint. This enables rapid diagnosis of any damage to the joint and the prescription of appropriate treatment.
  • arthroscopes Due to strict performance requirements, particularly with respect to image quality and field of viewing, arthroscopes require a high degree of precision and, thus, are extremely costly to manufacture. It is, therefore, a virtual economic necessity that arthroscopes accommodate reuse. Accordingly, reusable arthroscopes, and particularly the probe, must be sterilized before each use to prevent infection of the patient with a contaminated needle. Nevertheless, the possibility exists for improper sterilization of the needle assemblies, or even for recontamination of the needle assemblies during handling following sterilization, either of which could infect the patient.
  • An optimal solution to the problem of patient infection would be to employ prepackaged sterile non-reusable arthroscopes in all arthroscopic procedures.
  • the present invention is a method for manufacturing a relatively inexpensive disposable arthroscopic probe.
  • the method generally encompasses attaching a lens onto the end of an image guide, thereby forming a continuous image path, and threading the image path through a hollow needle along with an optical fiber bundle that serves as an illumination path.
  • the needle containing the image and illumination paths is mounted onto a base to produce the finished arthroscopic probe.
  • a number of preparatory steps are performed.
  • a distal bend having a predetermined angle of curvature is placed in the linear image guide by thermal deformation.
  • the tip of the distal end is then cut to a predetermined length and ground flat so that it will fit flush with the proximal face of the lens during subsequent attachment thereto.
  • the distal face of the image guide is polished to enhance its light transmitting ability.
  • the lens is attached to the bent image guide by aligning the two in an end to end manner. With the faces so aligned, a continuous coating of an adhesive is applied to the proximal face of the lens and/or the distal face of the image guide. The faces are then joined together in close continuous contact and the adhesive is cured to effect a strong permanent bond between the lens and guide, thereby completing assembly of the image path.
  • the image path is positioned in the needle by feeding the path through the interior passageway of the needle such that the lens is positioned slightly interior to the distal end of the needle while a portion of the image guide extends from the proximal end of the needle.
  • the fiber optic bundle which serves as the illumination path is additionally threaded through the passageway to extend side-by-side with the image path through the needle and out the proximal end thereof.
  • a filler is placed in the interstitial space at the distal end of the passageway which is preferably a curable resin. Upon curing, the resin anchors the image and illumination paths in the needle.
  • An opaque resin may be selected as the filler which serves to reduce light clutter between the image and illumination paths.
  • Manufacture of the arthroscopic probe is completed by mounting the needle onto the base and finishing the image and illumination paths at both the distal and proximal ends of the arthroscopic probe.
  • the base is a hollow body having a needle inlet orifice centrally formed at its distal end and two outlet orifices formed at its proximal end. One outlet orifice is centrally aligned to receive the proximal end of the image path and the other outlet orifice receives the proximal end of the illumination path.
  • Mounting is accomplished by sliding the proximal end of the needle, having the image and illumination paths extending therefrom, into the needle inlet orifice of the base.
  • a rubber gasket may be fitted between the needle and the inlet orifices to provide a close fit and to compensate for possible variations in thermal expansion between the materials of the needle and the base.
  • the proximal end of the needle is positioned within the interior of the base such that the proximal end of the image path extending from the needle aligns with its outlet orifice for insertion therein. Meanwhile the portion of the illumination path extending from the needle, which is generally more flexible than the image path, is radially displaced from the proximal end of the needle for alignment and insertion into the remaining outlet orifice.
  • a filler such as that employed in the needle, is injected into the hollow interior of the base.
  • the filler occupies the interior of the base as well as any interstitial spaces in the orifices of the base after their respective members have been inserted therein.
  • the filler is cured to anchor the proximal ends of the needle, image path and illumination path in the base.
  • the distal end of the probe is finished by cutting or grinding the distal end from opposite sides thereof at oblique angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the needle, thereby forming a convex v-shaped tip at the distal end of the needle.
  • the lens and optical fiber bundle contained therein are exposed to the external environment.
  • the distal end of the needle is obliquely oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the needle, it is nevertheless parallel to the distal face of the lens due to the curvature of the image path. Accordingly, the enhanced ability of the lens to receive external light is not diminished by cutting and grinding.
  • the proximal end of the probe is finished by cutting off the portions of the image or illumination paths extending proximally from the outlet orifices of the base.
  • the paths are cut flush with the proximal surface of the base and are polished at their exposed ends to similarly optimize their light transmitting ability.
  • the product resulting from the above-described manufacturing method is a relatively inexpensive disposable arthroscopic probe that is made to strict tolerances, and accordingly is capable of superior performance when incorporated into an arthroscope for diagnostic or other medical procedures.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an arthroscopic probe produced according to the method of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the arthroscopic probe of the present invention as seen along line 2-2 in Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a flow chart of the method of manufacture of the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional close-up view of the distal end of the arthroscopic probe of the present invention shown in Figure 2.
  • the present invention is a method for manufacturing an arthroscopic probe.
  • a representative probe which can be manufactured according to this method is initially described below, thereby establishing a context in which to describe the method of the invention.
  • an arthroscopic probe is shown and generally designated 10 .
  • Arthroscopic probe 10 has a needle 12 mounted on a base 14 .
  • Needle 12 is a hollow cylindrical tube formed from a high-strength, biologically-compatible material such as stainless steel.
  • Base 14 is preferably formed from a sturdy lightweight rigid plastic.
  • Base 14 is at the proximal end of arthroscopic probe 10 and needle 12 is at the distal end thereof.
  • proximal and distal refer to the relative distance of the particular probe component from the probe operator when the probe is being used in an arthroscopy procedure.
  • needle 12 has a distal end 16 terminating in a sharpened tip 18 .
  • Base 14 has a distal orifice 20 to receive proximal end 22 of needle 12 into base interior 24 .
  • Distal orifice 20 may be provided with a rubber gasket 26 to secure needle 12 therein.
  • image path 28 and an illumination path 30 Positioned within needle 12 is an image path 28 and an illumination path 30 , anchored by a solid filler material 32 at distal end 16 .
  • Image path 28 and illumination path 30 have proximal ends 34 and 36 respectively, which extend from proximal needle end 22 through base interior 24 .
  • Proximal ends 34 and 36 are received by proximal orifices 38 and 40 respectively of base 14 and terminate flush with the proximal end 44 of base 14 .
  • a solid filler material 42 occupies the bulk of base interior 24 as well as any portions of proximal orifices 38 , 40 not occupied by proximal ends 34 , 36 respectively.
  • Image path 28 and illumination path 30 have distal ends 46 and 48 respectively which are exposed at sharpened needle tip 18 .
  • Distal ends 46 and 48 are described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 3 and 4 and the method of the present invention. It is further noted that additional arthroscopic equipment not described herein is employed for operational support of arthroscopic probe 10 in the performance of arthroscopic procedures. A description of such equipment and its method of operation is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 07/650,066, filed on February 4, 1991, and entitled “Portable Arthroscope With Periscope Optics", and as such is incorporated herein by reference.
  • an image guide is prepared for subsequent assembly of an image path.
  • the image guide is an optical fiber that has the geometry of a straight elongated cylindrical solid with a proximal face and a distal face. Being an optical fiber, the image guide is composed of ultra-pure glass capable of conducting modulated light signals by total internal reflection.
  • the image guide appears to be a single unitary construct, the optical fiber forming the image guide may in fact be a plurality of smaller fibers which are integrated into the single unitary construct.
  • Preparation of the image guide entails stripping any exterior opaque coating which may be present away from the distal end of the guide. Such a coating may be present on the sides of the optical fiber to prevent light from entering the fiber through its sides. The coating, however, is a hinderance to bending the image guide, as will be described below, thereby necessitating its removal. After stripping, the image guide is cut at its proximal end to a predetermined length and the resulting proximal face is polished for optical optimization.
  • the next sequence under step 50 is bending of the image guide at its distal end. Bending is accomplished by fixing the proximal end of the image guide in a clamp while the distal end is freely suspended.
  • a heat source such as a high temperature flame from a torch, is rapidly applied for a predetermined time to a point on the distal end a short distance behind the tip thereof to raise the point to a predetermined temperature sufficient to render the distal end pliant at that point.
  • a flame having a temperature of about 2760°C, applied to a point on the distal end of the image guide for about 700 milliseconds will raise that point to a temperature of about 1650°C which is generally sufficient to perform the bending step.
  • the tip pivots downward under its own weight about the point of pliancy to produce a bend in the distal end having a predetermined angle of curvature.
  • This angle is in a range of about 10° to 45°, preferably in a range of about 20° to 30°, and most preferably about 25°. If needed, an external weight can additionally be applied to the distal tip to facilitate bending thereof.
  • step 50 Upon cooling, a predetermined length at the tip of the bent distal end is cut off.
  • the distal face is then ground with a grinder to render its surface orthogonal with the longitudinal axis of the guide at the tip of the distal end.
  • the ground distal face is polished to optimize its light transmitting ability. It is to be noted that step 50 and subsequent steps thereafter are performed in a relatively dust-free environment to avoid contamination of the optical surfaces. Quality control testing may be performed on the optical surfaces at each step to insure optimal light transmitting characteristics.
  • lens preparation step 52 An adjunct to image guide preparation step 50 is lens preparation step 52 , wherein a lens is provided for subsequent attachment onto the distal face of the image guide.
  • the lens of choice is a gradient refractive index (GRIN) lens which is relatively shorter compared to the image guide, but has a substantially similar cross-sectional profile and has flat proximal and distal faces.
  • Lens preparation comprises cleaning and quality control testing thereof.
  • GRIN gradient refractive index
  • Step 54 comprises applying a continuous coating of high-strength curable adhesive to the distal face of the image guide and/or the proximal face of the lens. The two faces are then aligned and fitted flush against one another in close contact. Care is taken to maintain the faces in tight fitting contact during curing of the adhesive.
  • a preferred adhesive in the present method is one curable by ultra-violet radiation. Accordingly, curing is performed by placing the assembled image path 28 in communication with a UV source for a predetermined time period to effect a strong and permanent bond between the lens and guide. At this point a wax cap (not shown) may be placed over the distal face of the lens to protect it during further manufacturing steps, but for removal from the face upon completion of arthroscopic probe 10 in a manner described hereafter.
  • the image path 28 is in a condition for assembly into needle 12 .
  • the illumination path 30 is assembled in step 56 .
  • Assembly of illumination path 30 comprises coaxially bunching a predetermined number of individual optical fibers and cutting them to a predetermined length.
  • Image path 28 and illumination path 30 are then threaded through the proximal end 22 of needle 12 in needle assembly step 58 .
  • Assembly step 58 positions paths 28 , 30 within needle 12 adjacent each other such that their respective proximal ends 34 , 36 extend from proximal needle end 22 while their respective distal ends 46 , 48 remain interior to distal needle end 16 as shown in Figure 2.
  • Needle assembly step 58 further comprises placement of a filler 32 that is preferably a curable epoxy resin within distal end 16 of needle 12 adjacent image and illumination paths 28 , 30 .
  • the filler 32 may be placed in distal end 16 by coating paths 28 , 30 with filler 32 prior to threading them through needle 12 or by extruding the filler 32 into distal end 16 after placement of paths 28 , 30 therein.
  • the filler is an epoxy resin, it is preferably cured in distal end 16 by placement of the assembled needle in an oven for a time period between about 0.5 to 4 hours at a temperature between about 40 and 60°C. It is further desirable that the filler 32 is substantially opaque upon curing to reduce light clutter between the image and illumination paths 28 , 30 .
  • Figure 4 shows in close-up the distal end 16 of needle 12 at the completion of assembly step 58 .
  • image guide distal face 60 is aligned with lens proximal face 62 and adhered thereto by means of continuous adhesive coating 64 at the junction 66 between faces 60 , 62 to form image path 28 .
  • the bend 68 is shown on image path 28 behind face 60 having an angle of curvature designated by ⁇ .
  • Adjacent to image path 28 is illumination path 30 having a plurality of discrete optical fibers 70 .
  • Sufficient filler 32 occupies the remainder of the needle interior not occupied by paths 28 , 30 to secure paths 28 , 30 therein.
  • a dashed line 72 across needle distal end 16 indicates the planes along which portions of distal end 16 are removed by cutting or grinding therethrough as described with reference to Figure 3.
  • Step 74 basically comprises removing filler 32 and the frontal portions of the wax cap (if present) from the distal lens face 76 , thereby exposing it to the external environment. This may be performed by grinding or cutting distal end 16 at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of needle 12 .
  • the cutting or grinding angle although oblique relative to needle 12 , is parallel to distal lens face 76 due to bend 68 .
  • Step 74 is continued by performing a second oblique cutting or grinding procedure through needle 12 originating at a point substantially opposite the first cutting or grinding procedure to expose the distal illumination path face 78 while forming point 80 on needle tip 18 .
  • the two oblique angles cuts are shown in Figure 4 with reference to dashed line 72 .
  • Step 74 is completed by finely polishing face 78 for optimum light transmission.
  • Step 82 comprises placement of the proximal needle end 22 into distal orifice 20 of base 14 having gasket 26 positioned therein to provide a seal.
  • proximal image path end 34 which extends from proximal needle end 22 is inserted into proximal base orifice 38 while proximal illumination path end 36 is inserted into proximal base orifice 40 .
  • Mounting step 82 further comprises placement of a filler 42 in base interior 24 .
  • Filler 42 is preferably substantially identical to preferred filler 32 in needle 12 .
  • Filler 42 may be placed in interior 24 by injection through an injection orifice (not shown) in base 14 and is subsequently cured by placing the entire assembled arthroscopic probe 10 in an oven for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature.
  • Base finishing step 84 comprises the cutting of any portions of image or illumination paths 28 , 30 which may extend proximally from base orifices 38 , 40 .
  • the cut is flush with the proximal base end 44 and the proximal faces of the paths 28 , 30 are then polished to optimize their light transmitting ability.
  • the resulting product shown by step 86 is a disposable arthroscopic probe 10 .

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Endoscopes (AREA)
  • Instruments For Viewing The Inside Of Hollow Bodies (AREA)
EP9393301046A 1992-03-03 1993-02-12 Method for manufacturing a disposable arthroscopic probe Withdrawn EP0559341A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/845,070 US5190028A (en) 1991-02-04 1992-03-03 Method for manufacturing a disposable arthroscopic probe
US845070 1992-03-03

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0559341A2 true EP0559341A2 (de) 1993-09-08
EP0559341A3 EP0559341A3 (en) 1994-10-05

Family

ID=25294324

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP9393301046A Withdrawn EP0559341A3 (en) 1992-03-03 1993-02-12 Method for manufacturing a disposable arthroscopic probe

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5190028A (de)
EP (1) EP0559341A3 (de)
JP (1) JPH06133926A (de)
AU (1) AU664070B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2090792A1 (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0646345A1 (de) * 1993-09-20 1995-04-05 Citation Medical Corporation Flexible Endoskopsonde und dessen Herstellungsverfahren.
WO2002033464A1 (en) * 2000-10-18 2002-04-25 Amherst Holding Co. Low reflection optical fiber terminators

Families Citing this family (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5305736A (en) * 1991-04-26 1994-04-26 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Distal end part of endoscope
US5419312A (en) * 1993-04-20 1995-05-30 Wildflower Communications, Inc. Multi-function endoscope apparatus
US5554100A (en) * 1994-03-24 1996-09-10 United States Surgical Corporation Arthroscope with shim for angularly orienting illumination fibers
US5607435A (en) 1994-05-23 1997-03-04 Memory Medical Systems, Inc. Instrument for endoscopic-type procedures
DE4439227C1 (de) * 1994-11-03 1996-01-11 Wolf Gmbh Richard Endoskop und Verfahren zur Ermittlung von Objektabständen
US5643176A (en) * 1995-02-01 1997-07-01 Power Analytics Corporation Endoscopic instrument with variable viewing angle
US5634881A (en) * 1995-10-20 1997-06-03 United States Surgical Corporation Laparoscope
US6129662A (en) * 1996-06-03 2000-10-10 Cogent Light Technologies, Inc. Surgical tool with surgical field illuminator
WO2001045390A1 (en) * 1999-12-17 2001-06-21 Video Scope International, Ltd. Camera with multiple tapered fiber bundles coupled to multiple ccd arrays
JP2004505656A (ja) * 2000-07-20 2004-02-26 ジーエムピー/サージカル ソリューションズ インク 光ファイバ照明付属品
US7290915B2 (en) * 2001-07-20 2007-11-06 Solovay Kenneth S Light coupling assembly
US7426410B2 (en) * 2003-06-06 2008-09-16 Infraredx, Inc. Spectroscopy of deeply-scattered light
DE102008009912A1 (de) * 2008-02-19 2009-08-20 Karl Storz Gmbh & Co. Kg Endoskop
US20100022824A1 (en) 2008-07-22 2010-01-28 Cybulski James S Tissue modification devices and methods of using the same
US20100121139A1 (en) 2008-11-12 2010-05-13 Ouyang Xiaolong Minimally Invasive Imaging Systems
WO2013063011A1 (en) * 2011-10-27 2013-05-02 Cook Medical Technologies Llc Visualization catheter periscope
GB201312214D0 (en) * 2013-07-08 2013-08-21 Waterford Inst Technology A Measurement Probe
US10342579B2 (en) 2014-01-13 2019-07-09 Trice Medical, Inc. Fully integrated, disposable tissue visualization device
US9370295B2 (en) 2014-01-13 2016-06-21 Trice Medical, Inc. Fully integrated, disposable tissue visualization device
US11547446B2 (en) 2014-01-13 2023-01-10 Trice Medical, Inc. Fully integrated, disposable tissue visualization device
US20150351629A1 (en) * 2014-06-06 2015-12-10 Novartis Ag Back reflection minimization for oct probes
CN113243977A (zh) 2015-08-11 2021-08-13 特里斯医疗有限公司 完全集成的一次性组织可视化装置
USD893713S1 (en) * 2017-01-31 2020-08-18 Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg Medical instrument
US11622753B2 (en) 2018-03-29 2023-04-11 Trice Medical, Inc. Fully integrated endoscope with biopsy capabilities and methods of use
JP2021153781A (ja) * 2020-03-26 2021-10-07 株式会社フジクラ 内視鏡
WO2022204441A1 (en) * 2021-03-24 2022-09-29 Simpson Interventions, Inc. Oct catheter with low refractive index optical material

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0305170A2 (de) * 1987-08-24 1989-03-01 Allergan, Inc Augenbeobachtungseinrichtung
EP0369937A1 (de) * 1988-11-18 1990-05-23 Effner Biomet GmbH Endoskop, insbesondere Arthroskop
EP0498114A1 (de) * 1991-02-04 1992-08-12 Citation Medical Corporation Tragbares Arthroskop mit Sehrohr-Optik

Family Cites Families (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3297022A (en) * 1963-09-27 1967-01-10 American Cystoscope Makers Inc Endoscope
US3581376A (en) * 1966-09-20 1971-06-01 Pilling Co Method of constructing a bent light-conducting tube
SE355171B (de) * 1972-01-21 1973-04-09 Linden Alimak Ab
DE2929864A1 (de) * 1979-07-24 1981-02-19 Haarmann & Reimer Gmbh Makrocyclische diester, verfahren zu ihrer herstellung und ihre verwendung als riechstoffe
JPS57125731A (en) * 1981-01-26 1982-08-05 Olympus Optical Co Illumination system for endoscope
JPS59124312A (ja) * 1982-12-29 1984-07-18 Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd 画像観察装置
US4590923A (en) * 1983-04-18 1986-05-27 Watanabe Robert S Arthroscope-video camera assembly
US4589404A (en) * 1984-01-03 1986-05-20 Medical Dynamics, Inc. Laser endoscope
US4754328A (en) * 1984-01-03 1988-06-28 Medical Dynamics, Inc. Laser endoscope
JPS60125610U (ja) * 1984-02-03 1985-08-24 オリンパス光学工業株式会社 斜視型の硬性内視鏡
US4607622A (en) * 1985-04-11 1986-08-26 Charles D. Fritch Fiber optic ocular endoscope
US4762139A (en) * 1985-12-09 1988-08-09 Daniel Timmes Portable sailboard frame
JPS62266024A (ja) * 1986-05-14 1987-11-18 オリンパス光学工業株式会社 内視鏡ビデオシステム
US4736733A (en) * 1987-02-25 1988-04-12 Medical Dynamics, Inc. Endoscope with removable eyepiece
US4782819A (en) * 1987-02-25 1988-11-08 Adair Edwin Lloyd Optical catheter
US4867138A (en) * 1987-05-13 1989-09-19 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Rigid electronic endoscope
US4844071A (en) * 1988-03-31 1989-07-04 Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc. Endoscope coupler device
US4947245A (en) * 1988-05-23 1990-08-07 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Image picking-up and processing apparatus
US4920961A (en) * 1988-06-02 1990-05-01 Circon Corporation System for disconnetably mounting an endoscope sheath with an endoscope tool
US4846154A (en) * 1988-06-13 1989-07-11 Macanally Richard B Dual view endoscope
US4838247A (en) * 1988-10-06 1989-06-13 Baxter International, Inc. Dual-view arthroscope
FR2640389B1 (fr) * 1988-12-12 1992-10-02 Fibres Optiques Rech Technolo Video-endoscopes rigides
JPH02159242A (ja) * 1988-12-13 1990-06-19 Fujikura Ltd 硬性ファイバスコープ
JPH02213317A (ja) * 1989-02-14 1990-08-24 Fujikura Ltd 硬性ファイバスコープの製造方法
US5074642A (en) * 1989-11-14 1991-12-24 Hicks John W Multifiber endoscope with fibers having different indices of refraction

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0305170A2 (de) * 1987-08-24 1989-03-01 Allergan, Inc Augenbeobachtungseinrichtung
EP0369937A1 (de) * 1988-11-18 1990-05-23 Effner Biomet GmbH Endoskop, insbesondere Arthroskop
EP0498114A1 (de) * 1991-02-04 1992-08-12 Citation Medical Corporation Tragbares Arthroskop mit Sehrohr-Optik

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0646345A1 (de) * 1993-09-20 1995-04-05 Citation Medical Corporation Flexible Endoskopsonde und dessen Herstellungsverfahren.
WO2002033464A1 (en) * 2000-10-18 2002-04-25 Amherst Holding Co. Low reflection optical fiber terminators

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3393093A (en) 1993-09-09
AU664070B2 (en) 1995-11-02
EP0559341A3 (en) 1994-10-05
CA2090792A1 (en) 1993-09-04
JPH06133926A (ja) 1994-05-17
US5190028A (en) 1993-03-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5190028A (en) Method for manufacturing a disposable arthroscopic probe
US6152872A (en) Relay lens assembly for a disposable arthroscope
US4736733A (en) Endoscope with removable eyepiece
JP5225438B2 (ja) 小型内視鏡システム
US4762120A (en) Endoscopic device having handle assembly and catheter assembly
JP4163755B2 (ja) 光ファイバを回転可能に接続する装置
EP2103248B1 (de) Miniaturendoskop mit bildgebendem Fasersystem
US4772093A (en) Fiber-optic image-carrying device
US5396366A (en) Endoscope apparatus
US5569161A (en) Endoscope with sterile sleeve
US5456245A (en) Flexible endoscope probe and method of manufacture
US6432047B1 (en) Endoscopic surgical procedures and endoscopic apparatus comprising segmented fiber optic cables
EP0498114A1 (de) Tragbares Arthroskop mit Sehrohr-Optik
EP0549097A1 (de) Arthroskop mit Periskop-Optik
JP2022500174A (ja) 光学経路を有する撮像システム
CA1275589C (en) Fiber-optic image-carrying device
JPH078441A (ja) 内視鏡
CN219306650U (zh) 光声内窥镜和内窥镜系统
CN219306663U (zh) 光声内窥镜和内窥镜系统
CN115998218A (zh) 光声内窥镜和内窥镜系统
JPH04291312A (ja) 内視鏡

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19950323

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19960627

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19961109